Should I be concerned with auto darkening helmet?

I have been using my auto darknening helmet for Arc and MIG welding for years and it's been fine. I have just gotten myself a TIG welder and am finding that the lens darkens quickly when the arc is struck but on the down slope the lens lightens before the arc has completely stopped. This means I get a brief period where the lens isn't darkened but the arc is still lit. It's not giving any accute vision issue but should I be concerned about any long term effects?

My understand is that whether the lens is darkened or not my eyes are protected from the damaging UV radiation.

Does your helmet have settings for sensitivity etc.?
You may need to experiment with that to stop the problem.

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Originally Posted by Gavin Newman

Does your helmet have settings for sensitivity etc.?
You may need to experiment with that to stop the problem.

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Was about to reply saying that it only had the dial to adjust the shade but then thought I better go and check. Turns out there is switch to change the speed it reacts. I haven't tried it yet but I reckon changing this from fast to slow will do the trick.

Not all lens packs are equal.
Lower quality helmets will not pick up the lower ampere tail of the down slope.
I have a speedglas 9100 which is good for down to 2A, the basic ones IIRC will be good for 15A. Can't give any medical advice on long term effects, but it really comes down to your exposure level- 50+ hours a week, or lighting up for an hour of arc-on time over a weekend?

If you are really worried don the old pipeliner with a glass lens of your choosing, and let-er rip.

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Originally Posted by mark86

Was about to reply saying that it only had the dial to adjust the shade but then thought I better go and check. Turns out there is switch to change the speed it reacts. I haven't tried it yet but I reckon changing this from fast to slow will do the trick.

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That switch usually only changes the speed at which it goes to the shade 3 'light' setting AFTER the arc is extinguished. It's to stop you looking at a molten pool of metal after the run, and can be tuned to allow better speed when tacking etc.

But your original question - the uv protection is always present, regardless of shade, battery, sensitivity etc.
That's what does the damage, so auto darkening helmets are 'intrinsically safe'.

Of course a bright flash is still uncomfortable and makes the job harder



Russ

Ever since they have made safety glasses compulsory at work I have never had flash so they can protect you as well. I do a lot of tacking without my helmet as we all do :)

Sometimes if I forget to turn my speedglas helmet on, you get the bright flash but eyes re adjust after about 30 seconds.

My eyes are worth more than a gamble on a cheap helmet, or looking at an arc if I can help it (with or without safety glasses).
I wonder how my boss would feel with my work if I were blind?

An old timer I know rarely wore a helmet for tacking, and only wore gloves for a few bigger jobs. Last we spoke he was up to his 9th skin cancer being removed from his hands and arms. He's adamant one will get him in the end.
Welding flash is not the only thing that will get you. Arc burn, UV, weld fume, melanoma, heavy metal poisoning (zinc, chromium)... A good helmet and some sensible PPE will reduce risk of most of this, if in doubt err on the side of caution.

Some of the auto darkening welding helmets aren't suitable for Tig welding and/or low amperage Tig Welding. If your Helmet has a sensitivity and delay control as well as the normal shade control you may be able to get it to work like that. You could try looking up the makers specs on the helmet and see if it's suitable. I would think that with the helmet on you should be protected from the UV, but the long term effects of a flash aren't going to do your eyes any good.

Does the green see thru film add any protection on the lens? i was working on a small six millimeter bolt removal a few months back and my helmet was flashing at very low amperage but i never got any flash i assumed the green film over the lens offered some basic UV protection

The uv protection is built in.


Russ

Hi All,

We import the Optrel range so I wont go on about why they are better, but more what to consider.
When looking at new helmet look at the EN379 Classification which 1 is the highest. such as 1/1/1/1 is the best and they are in order Optical class, Scattered Light, Homogeneity and Angular Dependence.
Brief overview is
Optical Class : how distorted the image is when you are looking at it
Scatter Light: relates to impurities in the glass during the manufacturing process (BIG ONE to look our for)
Homogeneity: testers examine the consistency of shade at different points of the lens.
Angular Dependence: category tests for a clear view without stretching, dark areas, blurriness, or problems viewing objects at an angle

A handy feature that is on the higher end of the Optrel range is the patented Twilight Feature which reduces the switching time from dark to light so it restores light more naturally, presenting a smooth transition to the eyes. This reduces eye fatigue which i saw some comments about.

Need anymore information or tips on what to look drop us a line.